Celebrating St Nicholas

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Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos, in Greek) is celebrated on 6th December. This is a sort of kick off of the Christmas season, particularly in the town of the same name, as the celebration of its patron saint is an important occasion.

Agios Nikolaos, which is normally bustling on any other day, is even more lively on 6 December. There is music, processions, people milling about, the lights of a massive tree are turned on for the first time in the season, and then the sky rips open and bursts with fireworks in the evening. Because Nikolaos is also a common name, it’s not rare to see little groups of family and friends celebrating someone named Nikos or Niki on their name day. What a fantastic thing, to celebrate on top of your birthday! Any excuse to hold a big party!

Agios Nikolaos was born in 270 AD, the son of wealthy parents. However, his parents died whilst he was young. Whilst he inherited a huge estate, he chose a religious life and moved from Lycia to Jerusalem. He was ordained priest, then withdrew to an ascetic life and became the abbot of a monastery, and rose through the ecclesial ranks to become an archbishop. He was not princely, though, but concerned himself with the protection of the poor and the needy. His charitable works attracted the attention of the Roman authorities at a time when Christians were persecuted, during the reign of Diocletian. He was tortured. Later, Emperor Constantine the Great recognised and even embraced Christianity, so then Nicholas was able to return to his parish, where miracles were attributed to him and he was reportedly one who could restore those suffering from all sorts of ill health.

Nicholas died on 6th December 343. Over six hundred years later, in 1087, his relics were removed from Lycia and brought to Bari (Italy) by a group of sailors. The relics, vitally transported to this new home, started producing miracles for the local community. Agios Nikolaos, then, is the patron saint of seamen and sailors, and those who live by the coast. You may imagine how important his good favour is to anyone living in an island where most important cities come with a seaview!

The Christmas festive season here is solemn and meditative, yet also quite festive and often even boisterous at nights. You can’t help but join in the celebrations!

If you would like more information about Cretan festivities to make your travel experience more authentic, contact Karma Travel. You will then be in good, competent hands to organise a trip where you won’t just be an oblivious tourist.